Jose Vizcarra Avitia Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

OBITUARY ~ JOSE ANGEL VIZCARRA AVITIA Jose Angel Vizcarra Avitia aka "Lindsay Joe" ~ was born to Rafael Avitia and Belen Vizcarra on March 15, 1946 in Colimas, Durango, Mexico. Since his birth was not "registered" until ten days later, his legal birth date is March 25, 1946. Jose's father died when he was only six years old, and he eagerly became the "little man" of the house. Already an upcoming entrepreneur, he would shine shoes for money to help out his family (his momma and 6 kids), and had various odd jobs, doing whatever he could to help out. Even without an actual "school" education, being home-schooled, he was very smart, driven, ambitious and eager to learn anything and everything he could. He read books, he took things apart just to put them back together again - all for the sake of learning. Jose, along with his family, came to California in 1961; he was 16 years old. After a brief stay in Paso Robles, they moved to Tulare, where they made their home. Jose, and his two sisters worked in the fields with their mother, to provide for their family. He eventually became an American citizen many years later, an honor he was very proud of. He married Guadalupe Gonzalez in 1965, and shortly after, they moved to Lindsay, California where they made their home; a home out in the country they shared for many years and bonfires were a common thing. They had two daughters of their marriage - Yolanda and Roxanne. Although they divorced, they remained friends over the years. Jose was a hard worker all his life ~ working in the fields, picking oranges, grapes, whatever was in season, and other field work. His daughter Yolanda remembers riding with him at a very young age on a mini bike (hanging on tight!) as he showed her how to "pick up and move" sprinklers around with his foot in the orange groves that he was responsible for maintaining around their home. While living in Lindsay, he worked for Hershall Luellen, owner of Luellen Soil Services, for many, many years. Hardworking; Intelligent; Driven; Ambitious; Self-taught, self-made business man. Jose was a great mechanic. Throughout the early years in Lindsay, he worked on cars for friends, family and field workers he worked with; It seemed like there was always a car around he was working on. He loved motorcycles and went through various bikes over the years, until he finally got his Harley! It seemed like there was always a motorcycle around; he even taught his daughter Yolanda how to ride as soon as she was tall enough. He also loved body building -- working out nearly every night after work, before dinner, sometimes after dinner, in his younger years (before trucking and self-employment took over his time). He wanted a body like Arnold Schwarzenegger and worked hard for it! In the late 80's, early 90's, he married Suzanne Bechtel-Avitia, with whom he acquired two (wild & crazy) stepsons, Lance Bechtel and Lucas "Luke" Bechtel. Although their marriage ended, Jose kept in close contact with Lance and Luke over the years, and they talked on the phone often. Around 1996 or 1997, he moved to Exeter with Suzy Schulze, and turned his dream of business ownership into reality ~ Avitia Trucking, of which he was sole owner/operator. He spent many years on the road, becoming a walking, talking road map, hauling and delivering goods both interstate (outside California) and intrastate; cutting back a few years ago to intrastate driving, hauling and delivering goods in California only. He was still trucking full time when he caught COVID, which led to his passing. Jose was a long-standing member as well as one of the original founding members of the Valley Cycle Association ("VCA"). Known in the biker community simply as Lindsay Joe, he gained the love and respect of so many Biker Brothers and Sisters over the years. He enjoyed helping with fundraisers, poker runs, and other activities whenever he could and loved the get-togethers at the clubhouse. He had a deep love for his biker family and community. Jose also enjoyed spending time with family and did so as often as he could. His love of family, family get-togethers, food and fun was immeasurable. His smile alone could light up the room! He will forever be remembered and incredibly loved. He was preceded in death by his parents, Belen Vizcarra and Rafael Avitia; siblings, Jorge Avitia, Jesse Garcia, Abel Garcia, Ramona Machado-Avitia and great-grandson, Jeremiah A. Valdez. Jose is survived by his wife, Suzy Schulze of Exeter; Daughters: Yolanda L. Avitia of Fresno, S.Roxanne McCurry (Shane McCurry) of Tulare, Jennie Rolan of Michigan, Angelika Schulze of Visalia and stepdaughter Vanessa Schulze; Stepsons: Lance Bechtel of Terrebonne, OR and Luke Bechtel of Prineville, OR; Grandchildren: Joe R. Mejia III, Angel F. Mejia, Mark A. Mejia, Rebekah M. Mejia, Dakota Q. H. Galindo, Samantha N. Reitzel, Daniella C. Padilla and step-grandson Evan Joseph; several great-grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his siblings Clemencia Medina-Avitia, Rosalinda Avitia and Juan Avitia. A memorial service will be held Friday, April 1, 2022 at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel, Visalia, California beginning at 5:00 p.m., with a rosary to follow at 6:00 p.m. The Celebration of Life for Jose will be held on the following day, Saturday, April 2, 2022 at Mooney's Grove Park, Visalia, from 12:00-5:00.

Jose Vizcarra Avitia

March 25, 1946 - January 18, 2022